The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-04-23

would be surprised to read Of sao-
culinary encounter between pair OF
them at Yincennes or in the forest of st.
Germain.
al remember when / was young
provost in oneof the big fencing schools
in Paris, said the same teacher quoted
before, what a sensation IL used to cause
when the hour for the ladies' lessons
came. All the men except the master
and myself were put out, but how :hey
did beg to be allowed 10 stay! But the
master was inexorable. He was an old
soldier and believed in discipline But
they used to hang about the doors and
look through the keyholes. One young
fellow hid in closet once, but he was
found out and elected in great disgrace. "
Regis Senac. the genial fencing
of the New York Athletic Club. said
the other day that he never had 80
many applications from women who
wanted to take lessons as he has since
Mrs. Langtry became his pupil. Nj.
Senac Is not her first master; she has
taken lessons in London. and is now
more expert in the use of the foil than
a woman often becomes. The writer
was allowed to he present at one of her
lessons not long ago. Nj. Senac comes
To her house in West Twenty-third
street every morning while she is in
town He is due at ten o. clock. "And
l.. said Mrs. Langtry. ''Often don't rise
until he is announced; for you can
imagine that sometimes it Is struggle
to get up for lesson, after having
worked hard the evening before. But
find that | am the better all day for
the exercise; so | summon up my cour-
age and tumble into my costume.
Mrs. Langtry' costume consists of a
close-fitting waistcoat of white buck
skin. large baggy trousers of white
flannel that descend 10 the knee. and
white stockings She is too experienced
swordswaman to think of indulging
in any extravagances in the way OF
heels She wears buckskin gloves. but
If her master were not an extremely
careful man she would be obliged to
wear a heayily-palded glove. at least
ON her right hand; for one sometimes
gets rap with the foil over the knuckles
that makes the whole arm tingle.
The first half of the lesson was jus,
over when the writer was admitted the
other morning. Mrs. Langtry had
thrown a wrap over her shoulders as a
protection after the heat of exercise,
while Senac was pacing the floor in all
the glory of black velvet costume.
After few minutes Of rest work was
resumed and the famous beauty rubbed
the resin on her soies. pat ON her mask,
and fell into position with the left arm
gracefully extended-all as naturally a
4 if she had been brought up in fencing
rooms Her motions had none of tho
/ wildness aud looseness which charac-
terize the efforts of a beginner. Every
maneuver was clean-cut and precise
The play of her foil WAS 81 small that
To use NJ. Senac's favorite simile, i
could have been executed within tn,
ring of young girl. After about tel
minutes of this exercise Mrs. Langtry
claimed the right to another rest
| When she had recovered breath she wa
eloquent in praise of fencing. and tol,
what it did for her.
'.Not only do feel the good effect
of my morning lesson all through tin
lay." she said. in a general toning NJ
of the whole system. but | find that m,
fencing is particularly valuable to M
in my profession. Itgivcs me com
mand over my muscles and a supple
ness that are invaluable on the stage.
NJ Senac is rs proud rs peacock o
his pupil. He gives her lessons il
singIe-stick as well. and an eXtremel,
pretty picture she makes. twirling he
light cane about her head. She calls
the art of defending ones self with Al
umbrella Senac wants her to give
public exhibition with the foils whei
she comes back to New York. Mrs
Langtry does not absolutely refuse, bu
she says that if she gives an exhibition
only ladies will be admitted. Probabl
a good many men will feel inclined Z
put on petticoats for the occasion.-N
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